Livermore ‘Hero’ Saves Driver From Submerged Car In Dramatic Rescue

LIVERMORE, CA — A Livermore man is credited with saving the life of a driver who was trapped inside his submerged car following a crash into a swollen creek Tuesday afternoon, California Highway Patrol officials said. The collision happened around 2:45 p.m. on Highland Road near Collier Canyon Road.

“A 1996 Toyota Corolla was traveling eastbound on Highland Road and the 20-year-old driver failed to safely negotiate the curve of the roadway,” CHP officials said in a statement. “This resulted in the Toyota leaving the roadway and entering a creek that was filled with approximately three feet of water from recent heavy rains.”

A CHP spokesperson said a resident who heard the crash sprang into action, drove to the collision and grabbed a pickax from his truck. The man used the ax to shatter the window of the submerged car, which was upside down, and pulled the driver out to safety.

“I am very proud of this citizen for courageously responding to and assisting at this collision scene,” Dublin Area CHP Commander, Capt. Christopher Sherry, said in a statement. “This incident could’ve ended horribly and tragically. He is a true hero.”

The driver sustained only minor injuries thanks to the efforts of the good Samaritan.

Photo courtesy Dublin CHP